Mayor Whitmire Appoints Thomas Muñoz as Houston Fire Chief

Mayor Whitmire Appoints Thomas Muñoz as Houston Fire Chief

July 26, 2024 — Mayor John Whitmire has appointed Thomas Muñoz as the new chief of the Houston Fire Department. Thomas Muñoz, who retired from the Houston Fire Department as a deputy chief, most recently served as the city’s emergency management coordinator and interim director of the Mayor’s Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security.

“Chief Muñoz is a strong leader who is dedicated to preparing and protecting Houstonians in the event of an emergency. I believe he is the best emergency management coordinator in the country,” said Mayor Whitmire. “He is experienced, knowledgeable, and widely respected. I have worked alongside him through the Kingwood floods, the derecho, Hurricane Beryl, and the winter freeze. I am confident that Chief Muñoz is the best person to lead the city’s fire department at this time.”

Muñoz is a member of FEMA’s National Advisory Council and has more than 29 years of experience as a first responder and emergency manager. During his 24 years with the Houston Fire Department, Muñoz oversaw homeland security, public affairs and hazardous materials. Muñoz earned certification in Executive Leadership and Management from the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza School of Business and is a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School’s Homeland Security Executive Leadership Program. He also completed the National Component Security Course at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C.

“Mayor Whitmire is a pragmatic leader who has supported our firefighters since day one,” said Chief Muñoz. “I am committed to taking care of the residents of Houston, which must start with taking care of the men and women of the Houston Fire Department. The work we do today will have a lasting impact for years to come, and I know that with this administration, we can improve the safety of all residents and future generations.”

After retiring from HFD, he served as emergency manager and homeland security director for Texas City before joining the City of Houston as emergency management coordinator in the Office of Emergency Management.

Muñoz also retired as Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard (Reserve) after 21 years of service. While in the U.S. Coast Guard, he served as Deputy Incident Commander for the New Orleans Vessel Removal Projects, Oil Spill Liaison Officer at Texas City Y, and Hurricane Maria Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer in San Juan, PR. In 2007, Muñoz received the U.S. Coast Guard (Reserve) Captain Edward R. Williams Achievement Award. He has also received five USCG Commendation Medals.

Muñoz holds a master’s degree in emergency management and a master’s degree in homeland security from the American Military University. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in crisis communications from Texas Tech University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Houston.

Chief Muñoz succeeds Chief Samuel Peña and will be the 37th chief of the department since 1895, when the department became non-volunteer. The City of Houston thanks Chief Pena for his years of dedicated service to the Houston Fire Department.